Doctor to Share Lessons from Mother Teresa

Kent State University at Salem nursing students will host cardiologist Dr. Paul Wright, speaking about “Compassionate Care” on Wed., April 16, at 3 p.m. in the City Center auditorium. He will share the story of his life-changing friendship with Mother Teresa and how her work also changed his way of practicing medicine. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Wright worked with Mother Teresa during the last five years of her life through her Missionaries of Charity organization and wrote the acclaimed book, Mother Teresa’s Prescription: Finding Happiness and Peace in Service.

The book explains how Wright sought out Mother Teresa during a low point in his life and how her “prescription” transformed his values and lifestyle. He shares how he learned that the purpose of life is to serve others with compassion.

Wright received his undergraduate degree at Notre Dame in 1972 before attending medical school and beginning his residency in cardiology. He is a partner of the Ohio Heart Institute, a private cardiovascular medical center in Youngstown and Warren.

A native of Steubenville, he founded the “Poorest of the Poor” program in 1995 to collect and distribute clothing to underprivileged people in the United States. In 2001, Wright developed a medication assistance program to make prescription drugs more available to needy patients in northeastern Ohio.

In 2003, Wright received the U.S. Catholic Bishop’s Voice of Hope award for excellence, creativity and leadership in charity and justice. In 2004, he received the Thomas A. Dooley Award from the Notre Dame Alumni Association for humanitarian accomplishments.